TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 80

HKB 011/3

Re

29 JUL 1988

DESK OFFICER

From the Secretary of State

INDEX

PA

REC

#40634

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Action Takt.. 28 July 1988

Danie

Thank you for your letter of 18 July.

sau

I

see

6208633

HK

(with incoming letter) to Miss Jessie Yip, GDR, Enter spa 125 +

I am sorry you'

were not able to be present during the debate, but I welcome

your interest in these matters.

As I made clear to the House on 15 July, we are doing all we can to defend Hong Kong's legitimate concerns and interests. In addition to our obligations to the people of Hong Kong, we have the right to satisfy ourselves that the Basic Law faithfully implements the principles embodied in the Joint Declaration. All this is firmly on the record and well understood by the authorities in Peking.

I also explained to the House that we have been

pursuing extensive contacts with the Chinese authorities in which the Basic Law has been discussed in great depth. I have raised the matter with my Chinese opposite number several times. We are certainly not leaving it all to

Chinese good intentions. We have had a confidential

dialogue with the Chinese for some time. We have no doubt that it has influenced the drafting process. Our aim is to ensure that the revised draft takes account of the concerns

expressed in Hong Kong, some of which you refer to in your letter. You will, however, have seen from Hansard that it

is recognised on both sides of the House that the drafting of the Basic Law is the sovereign right of China. We must

take account of Chinese sensitivities. To conduct a dialogue with the Chinese authorities by public proclamation would be counter productive. I am clear that the sort of

firm pressure we have been exerting behind the scenes is the

best way to get positive results.

The Rt Hon David Howell MP